New Management at Atma-Sphere Music Systems

Rush, I was able to access the site yesterday afternoon and this morning.

I've been an Atma-Sphere dealer for several years now, and can't help but share Rushton's concern at not having seen Ralph's stamp of approval in a posting of his own. I read the press release which indicates Ralph's wholehearted approval, but frankly the quotes don't sound like Ralph's wording. It doesn't take a rocket scientist to figure out that Ralph has seen Rushton's posts here and elsewhere, and is choosing to remain silent. So while I try seldom get involved in crusading for this cause or that, I can't help but be concerned for my friend Ralph.

On the other hand, Mark and Harry have always treated me very well, and assisted me above and beyond what I would have expected. I could tell stories of Mark's integrity and generosity, of Harry's integrity and generosity, and of Ralph's integrity and generosity.

My hope is that Atma-Sphere and Rendition Audio will both emerge strong and do well.

But above all, my hope is that my friend Ralph Karston is treated well by the new management of Atma-Sphere. That matters a lot to me.

Duke LeJeune
AudioKinesis

Duke,
>>But above all, my hope is that my friend Ralph Karston is treated well by the new management of Atma-Sphere. That matters a lot to me<<

I think you speak for most-all of us AS owners. The single discordant element here, that is plain as daylight, is Ralph's silence. I think he is saying something profound by not saying a word.

The concern is whether Ralph is being hung out to dry...

As I and others have commented here and elsewhere, I don't think I care who ends up running Ralph Karsten's company after Ralph is out of a job with the company he created. That sort of thing happens in corporate America. Nor do I particularly care whether Atma-Sphere without Ralph will be successful.

What I DO care about is whether Ralph is being hung out to dry in the process; not only being forced into a situation he did not choose (apparently so, given his silence), but possibly being prevented from making a living in high-end audio in the future. This really, ultimately, is not a question about whether their new management team can keep things running, or what the vision for the future may be... For me, this is about whether Ralph is being materially hurt in the process. It is not a “Chicken Little” issue, it’s about whether a person I respect and value is being dealt with fairly and with consideration.

To be blunt, three questions keep preying on my mind, and I am concerned about the possible answers. In the absence of Ralph's agreement to an accommodation with the new management:

1. Will the new Atma-Sphere management try to prevent Ralph from competing in the high-end audio tube electronics market if he chooses to do so? Is new management trying to restrict him right now? If Ralph has a negotiated exit package that includes a non-compete provision, and if Ralph has been compensated for entering that agreement, and if the package is suitable to him, then fine. Otherwise not.

2. Will the new Atma-Sphere management attempt to prevent Ralph from using independently and for his own future benefit the intellectual property Ralph created/invented over the years, or to prevent him from using it in high-end audio applications? (Same considerations/caveats as in 1 above.)

3. Will the new Atma-Sphere management attempt to prevent Ralph from independently making a living in high-end audio, the only career he's ever known, using the skills he's developed over a lifetime? The "press release" sure makes it sound like an A-S exclusive, which is fine if Ralph has been fairly compensated and has agreed; but again there is this deafening silence from Ralph. (Same considerations/caveats as in 1 above.)

What I am concerned about, WHOM I'm concerned about, is Ralph and his well-being in the aftermath this change. That is why I continue to ask Mark Gilmore and Harry Blazer to step forward with Ralph's endorsement to all of this, because, as Springbok noted, Ralph's silence on this issue is deafening, and that is very discouraging to me.

Mark and Harry, I certainly hope you are working hard to make this the honorable transition you wish us all to perceive, and one that will do you credit when all the facts are shared. I would far rather congratulate you and support you than be your critic.
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Well said, Rush. I echo 100% your sentiments and believe that, irrespective of the business/contractual details that exist between Ralph and the new owners, Ralph has inspired such loyalty in AS owners that, if the result of the take-over is to deny Ralph the ability to continue to work in the high-end audio industry, there will be such resentment amongst us owners that it can only reverberate negatively for the new AS. The new owners may well say that it's none of our business what transpires in the corporate world between new and ex-owners; however the extent of loyalty and concern that we share for Ralph will make legal details irrelevant to us, the consumer, the present and future customers of Atma-Sphere. Sorry to be trite, but if Ralph perceives his treatment to be shabby and inequitable, then so do we and if the bottom line is customer satisfaction, then the new owners would be best served to keep the customers happy:)!